Tropicália Music and Taco Festival made its debut in Long Beach to a sold out crowd. The festival was set up at the scenic Queen Mary Park that gave guests a view of the beautiful harbor and cityscape. Gates opened up at 11am and people quickly made their way to the “taco fest” area where more than a dozen vendors were providing free all you can eat tacos until 4pm.

As taco lines grew, it started turning into a mission for people to make their way through the crowd that had built up in the taco area. Since it was placed in a spot that divided two stages from the rest of the festival, walking through the congested area was inevitable.

The lineup brought in fans of all ages, but many of the headliners like Kali Uchis, Chicano Batman and Los Tigres del Norte were especially proud and excited that the festival drew in a massive crowd of Latinos. Mexican culture specifically, was being displayed in many forms like food, art and fashion with many guests wearing items that showed Mexican pride in some way.

With so many great artist packed into this one day festival, people had to get a bit strategic with planning and working their way from one stage to another in order to be able to catch as many sets as possible. The lineup featured many up and coming artists who were on top of peoples must see list.

Newer artists like Jorja Smith, Yellow Days and Cuco drew in a big crowd and impressed with their sets that most likely brought in new fans. Older artists like Brenton Wood, Ginuwine and Café Tacvba, who’ve made their name known throughout that past years, were also able to please the crowd with classic favorites that had everyone singing along. As the day went on, things seemed to be running smoothly for the festival as far as set times were concerned, but like a lot of first year festivals, you get a few hiccups.

Towards the evening, set times started falling a bit behind schedule and Goldlink, an artist a lot of people had been looking forward to seeing, had canceled his set last minute. Despite these few bumps, the festival went on and closed out with Mexican music legends, Los Tigres del Norte. The fest was a success and left many looking forward to next year’s lineup, which will hopefully continue to bring in more great artist.

Brenton Wood

XXYYXX

Tropicalia crowd

Tropicalia crowd

Sad Girl

Padre Long Beach Tacos

Los Tigres del Norte

Los Tigres del Norte

La Sonora Dinamita

King Krule2

King Krule

Kali Uchis

Kali Uchis

Jorja Smith

Jorja Smith

Ivy Queen

Ivy Queen

Ginuwine

Chicano Batman

Chicano Batman

Chicano Batman

Cafe Tacvba

Cafe Tacvba

Cafe Tacvba

For more on Tropicalia Festival and the artists that performed, visit tropicaliafest.com.

By Natalie Baeza

Tropicália Music and Taco Festival made its debut in Long Beach to a sold out crowd. The festival was set up at the scenic Queen Mary Park that gave guests a view of the beautiful harbor and cityscape. Gates opened up at 11am and people quickly made their way to the “taco fest” area where more than a dozen vendors were providing free all you can eat tacos until 4pm.

As taco lines grew, it started turning into a mission for people to make their way through the crowd that had built up in the taco area. Since it was placed in a spot that divided two stages from the rest of the festival, walking through the congested area was inevitable.

The lineup brought in fans of all ages, but many of the headliners like Kali Uchis, Chicano Batman and Los Tigres del Norte were especially proud and excited that the festival drew in a massive crowd of Latinos. Mexican culture specifically, was being displayed in many forms like food, art and fashion with many guests wearing items that showed Mexican pride in some way.

With so many great artist packed into this one day festival, people had to get a bit strategic with planning and working their way from one stage to another in order to be able to catch as many sets as possible. The lineup featured many up and coming artists who were on top of peoples must see list.

Newer artists like Jorja Smith, Yellow Days and Cuco drew in a big crowd and impressed with their sets that most likely brought in new fans. Older artists like Brenton Wood, Ginuwine and Café Tacvba, who’ve made their name known throughout that past years, were also able to please the crowd with classic favorites that had everyone singing along. As the day went on, things seemed to be running smoothly for the festival as far as set times were concerned, but like a lot of first year festivals, you get a few hiccups.

Towards the evening, set times started falling a bit behind schedule and Goldlink, an artist a lot of people had been looking forward to seeing, had canceled his set last minute. Despite these few bumps, the festival went on and closed out with Mexican music legends, Los Tigres del Norte. The fest was a success and left many looking forward to next year’s lineup, which will hopefully continue to bring in more great artist.

Brenton Wood

XXYYXX

Tropicalia crowd

Tropicalia crowd

Sad Girl

Padre Long Beach Tacos

Los Tigres del Norte

Los Tigres del Norte

La Sonora Dinamita

King Krule2

King Krule

Kali Uchis

Kali Uchis

Jorja Smith

Jorja Smith

Ivy Queen

Ivy Queen

Ginuwine

Chicano Batman

Chicano Batman

Chicano Batman

Cafe Tacvba

Cafe Tacvba

Cafe Tacvba

For more on Tropicalia Festival and the artists that performed, visit tropicaliafest.com.